Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: Nov 20, 2024
§ 205.150 - Applicability.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, the provisions of this subpart apply to 1983 and subsequent model year motorcycles manufactured after December 31, 1982, which meet the definition of “new product” in the Act.

(b) The provisions of this subpart do not apply to electric or battery-powered motorcycles.

(c) Except as provided in § 205.158, the provisions of this subpart do not apply to competition motorcycles as defined in § 205.151(a)(3).

§ 205.151 - Definitions.

(a) As used in this subpart and in Subpart E, all terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Act or in Subpart A of this part.

(1) Motorcycle means any motor vehicle, other than a tractor, that:

(i) Has two or three wheels;

(ii) Has a curb mass less than or equal to 680 kg (1499 lb); and

(iii) Is capable, with an 80 kg (176 lb) driver, of achieving a maximum speed of at least 24 km/h (15 mph) over a level paved surface.

(2) Street motorcycle means:

(i) Any motorcycle that:

(A) With an 80 kg (176 lb) driver, is capable of achieving a maximum speed of at least 40 km/h (25 mph) over a level paved surface; and

(B) Is equipped with features customarily associated with practical street or highway use, such features including but not limited to any of the following: stoplight, horn, rear view mirror, turn signals: or

(ii) Any motorcycle that:

(A) Has an engine displacement less than 50 cubic centimeters;

(B) Produces no more than two brake horse power;

(C) With a 80 kg (176 lb) driver, cannot exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) over a level paved surface.

(3) Competition motorcycle means any motorcycle designed and marketed solely for use in closed course competition events.

(4) Off-road motorcycle means any motorcycle that is not a street motorcycle or competition motorcycle.

(5) Acceleration test procedure means the measurement methodologies specified in Appendix I.

(6) Acceptable quality level (AQL) means the maximum allowable average percentage of vehicles or exhaust systems that can fail sampling inspection under a Selective Enforcement Audit.

(7) Acoustical Assurance Period (AAP) means a specified period of time or miles driven after sale to the ultimate purchaser during which a newly manufactured vehicle or exhaust system, properly used and maintained, must continue in compliance with the Federal standard.

(8) Advertised Engine Displacement means the rounded off volumetric engine capacity used for marketing purposes by the motorcycle manufacturer.

(9) Category means a group of vehicle configurations which are identical in all material aspects with respect to the parameters listed in § 205.157-2 of this subpart.

(10) Class means a group of vehicles which are identical in all material aspects with respect to the parameters listed in § 205.155 of this subpart.

(11) Closed course competition event means any organized competition event covering an enclosed, repeated or confined route intended for easy viewing of the entire route by all spectators. Such events include short track, dirt track, drag race, speedway, hillclimb, ice race, and the Bonneville Speed Trials.

(12) Closing rpm means the engine speed in Figure 2 of Appendix I.

(13) Configuration means the basic classification unit of a manufacturer's product line and is comprised of all vehicle designs, models or series which are identical in all material aspects with respect to the parameters listed in § 205.157-3 of this subpart.

(14) Engine displacement means volumetric engine capacity as defined in § 205.153.

(15) Exhaust system means the combination of components which provides for the enclosed flow of exhaust gas from the engine exhaust port to the atmosphere. “Exhaust system” further means any constituent components of the combination which conduct exhaust gases and which are sold as separate products. “Exhaust System” does not mean any of the constituent components of the combination, alone, which do not conduct exhaust gases, such as brackets and other mounting hardware.

(16) Failing vehicle means a vehicle whose noise level is in excess of the applicable standard.

(17) Maximum rated RPM means the engine speed measured in revolutions per minute (RPM) at which peak net brake power (SAE J-245) is developed for motorcycles of a given configuration.

(18) Model specific code means the designation used for labeling purposes in §§ 205.158 and 205.169 for identifying the motorcycle manufacturer, class, and “advertised engine displacement,” respectively.

(19) Model year means the manufacturer's annual production period, which includes January 1 of any calendar year, or if the manufacturer has no annual production period, the term “model year” shall mean the calendar year.

(20) Motorcycle noise level means the A-weighted noise level of a motorcycle as measured by the acceleration test procedure.

(21) Noise control system means any vehicle part, component or system, the purpose of which includes control or the reduction of noise emitted from a vehicle, including all exhaust system components.

(22) Noise emission standard means the noise levels in § 205.152 or § 205.166.

(23) Noise emission test means a test conducted pursuant to a measurement methodology specified in this subpart.

(24) [Reserved]

(25) Serial number means the identification number assigned by the manufacturer to a specific production unit.

(26) Tampering means the removal or rendering inoperative by any person, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, of any device or element of design incorporated into any product in compliance with regulations under section 6, prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in use; or the use of a product after such device or element of design has been removed or rendered inoperative by any person.

(27) Test vehicle means a vehicle in a Selective Enforcement Audit test sample.

(28) Tractor means for the purposes of this subpart, any two or three wheeled vehicle used exclusively for agricultural purposes, or for snow plowing, including self-propelled machines used exclusively in growing, harvesting or handling farm produce.

(29) Vehicle means any motorcycle regulated pursuant to this subpart.

(30) Warranty means the warranty required by section 6(d)(1) of the Act.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57720, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.152 - Noise emission standards.

(a) Noise emission standards. (1) Street motorcycles of the following and subsequent model years must not produce noise emissions in excess of the levels indicated:

(i) Street motorcycles other than those that meet the definition of § 205.151(a)(2)(ii):

Model year A-weighted noise level (dB)
(A) 198383
(B) 198680

(ii) Street motorcycles that meet the definition of § 205.151(a)(2)(ii)(moped-type street motorcycles):

Model year A-weighted noise level (dB)
(A) 198370

(2) Off-road motorcycles of the following and subsequent model years must not produce noise emissions in excess of the levels indicated:

(i) Off-road motorcycles with engine displacements of 170 cc and lower:

Model year A-weighted noise level (dB)
(A) 198383
(B) 198680

(ii) Off-road motorcycles with engine displacements greater than 170 cc:

Model year A-weighted noise level (dB)
(A) 198386
(B) 198682

(3) Street motorcycles must be designed, built and equipped so that, when properly maintained and used, they will not produce noise emissions in excess of the levels specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, for an Acoustical Assurance Period of one year or a distance of 6000 km (3730 mi) after the time of sale to the ultimate purchaser, whichever occurs first.

(4) Off-road motorcycles must be designed, built and equipped so that, when properly maintained and used, they will not produce noise emissions in excess of the levels specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, for an Acoustical Assurance Period of one year or a distance of 3000 km (1865 mi) after the time of sale to the ultimate purchaser, whichever occurs first.

(5) At the time of sale to the ultimate purchaser, all products must comply with the standards set forth in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section.

(b) Measurement procedure. (1) The standards set forth in paragraph (a) of this section refer to noise emissions as measured in accordance with the measurement methodology specified in Appendix I-1 for all motorcycles except those street motorcycles that meet the definition of § 205.151(a)(2)(ii).

(2) The standards set forth in paragraph (a) of this section for street motorcycles that meet the definition of § 205.151(a)(2)(ii) (moped-type street motorcycles) refer to noise emissions measured in accordance with the measurement methodology specified in Appendix I-2.

(c) Low noise emission product standard. For the purpose of Low-Noise-Emission Product certification pursuant to 40 CFR part 203, motorcycles procured by the Federal government after the following dates must not produce noise emissions in excess of the noise levels indicated:

(1) For street motorcycles with engine displacement greater than 170 cc:

Date A-weighted noise level (dB)
(i) January 1, 198273
(ii) January 1, 198971

(2) For off-road motorcycles with engine displacements greater than 170 cc:

Date A-weighted noise level (dB)
(i) January 1, 198275

(3) For off-road motorcycles with engine displacement 170 cc and lower and street motorcycles with engine displacement 170 cc and lower that do not meet the definition of § 205.151(a)(2)(ii):

Date A-weighted noise level (dB)
(i) January 1, 198271

(4) For street motorcycles that meet the definition of § 205.151(a)(2)(ii) (moped-type street motorcycles):

Date A-weighted noise level (dB)
(i) January 1, 198260
These levels refer to noise emissions as measured in accordance with the measurement methodologies specified in appendix I. LNEP's must also meet all requirements contained in paragraphs (a)(3), (4), and (5), of this section. (Secs. 10 and 15 of the Noise Control Act, (42 U.S.C. 4909,4914
§ 205.153 - Engine displacement.

(a) Engine displacement must be calculated using nominal engine values and rounded to the nearest whole cubic centimeter, in accordance with American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) E 29-67.

(b) For rotary engines, displacement means the maximum volume of a combustion chamber between two rotor tip seals minus the minimum volume of that combustion chamber between those two rotor seals times three times the number of rotors.

cc = (Maximum chamber volume−minimum chamber volume) × 3 × number of rotors.
§ 205.154 - Consideration of alternative test procedures.

The Administrator may approve applications from manufacturers of motorcycles for the approval of test procedures which differ from those contained in this subpart so long as the alternative procedures have been demonstrated to correlate with the prescribed procedure. To be acceptable, alternative test procedures must be such that the test results obtained will identify all those test motorcycles which would not comply with the noise emission standards prescribed in § 205.152 when tested in accordance with the measurement methodology specified in Appendix I. After approval by the Administrator, testing conducted by manufacturers using alternative test procedures will be accepted by the Administrator for all purposes including, but not limited to, selective enforcement audit testing.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57720, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.155 - Motorcycle class and manufacturer abbreviation.

(a) Motorcycles must be grouped into classes determined by separate combinations of the following parameters:

(1) Engine type:

(i) Gasoline—two stroke.

(ii) Gasoline—four stroke.

(iii) Gasoline—rotary.

(iv) Other.

(2) Engine displacement.

(3) Engine configuration:

(i) Number of cylinders.

(ii) Cylinder arrangement (i.e., in line, opposed, etc.).

(4) Exhaust system:

(i) Muffler: (A) Type, (B) Location, (C) Number.

(ii) Expansion chambers: (A) Location, (B) Size.

(iii) Spark arrestors.

(iv) Other exhaust system components.

§ 205.156 - [Reserved]
§ 205.157 - Requirements.
§ 205.157-1 - General requirements.

(a) Each manufacturer of vehicles manufactured for distribution in commerce in the United States which are subject to the standards prescribed in this subpart and not exempted in accordance with Subpart A, § 205.5:

(1) Shall be labeled in accordance with the requirements of § 205.158 of this subpart.

(2) Must ensure that each vehicle conforms to the applicable noise emission standard establishd in § 205.152 of this subpart.

(b) The requirements of paragraph (a) of this section apply to new products which conform to the definition of vehicles in these regulations and at the time such new products are assembled to that state of completeness in which the manufacturer sends them to a subsequent manufacturer or otherwise distributes them in commerce.

(c) Subsequent manufacturers of a new product which conforms to the definition of vehicle in these regulations when received by them from a prior manufacturer, need not fulfill the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section where such requirements have already been complied with by a prior manufacturer.

(d) The manufacturer who is required to conduct product verification testing to demonstrate compliance with a particular standard, must satisfy all other provisions of this subpart applicable to that standard, including but not limited to, record keeping, reporting and in-use requirements.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57720, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.157-2 - Compliance with standards.

(a)(1) Prior to distribution in commerce of vehicles of a specific configuration, the first manufacturer of such vehicle must verify such configurations in accordance with the requirements of this subpart.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) At any time following receipt of notice under paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section with respect to a configuration, the Administrator may require that the manufacturer ship test vehicles to an EPA test facility for the required production verification testing.

(b) The requirements for purposes of testing by the Administrator and selective enforcement auditing with regard to each vehicle configuration consist of:

(1) Testing in accordance with § 205.160-4 of a vehicle selected in accordance with § 205.160-2.

(2) Compliance of the test vehicle with the applicable standard when tested in accordance with § 205.160-4.

(c)(1) In lieu of testing vehicles of every configuration as described in paragraph (b) of this section, the manufacturer may elect to verify the configuration based on representative testing. The requirements of representative testing are:

(i) Grouping configurations into categories where each category is determined by a separate combination of at least the following parameters (a manufacturer may use more parameters):

(A) Engine type: (1) Gasoline-two stroke; (2) gasoline-four stroke; (3) gasoline-rotary; and (4) other.

(B) Engine displacement.

(C) Engine configuration: (1) Number of cylinders; and (2) cylinder arrangement (i.e., in line, opposed, etc.)

(ii) Identifying the configuration within each category which emits the highest A-weighted sound level (in dB).

(iii) Testing in accordance with § 205.160-4 of a vehicle selected in accordance with § 205.160-2 which much be a vehicle of the configuration which is identified pursuant to paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section as having the highest sound pressure level (estimated or actual) within the category.

(iv) Demonstrating compliance of that vehicle with the applicable standard when tested in accordance with the test procedure specified in Appendix I.

(2) Where the requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section are complied with, all those configurations contained within a category are considered represented by the tested vehicle.

(3) Where the manufacturer tests a vehicle configuration which has not been determined as having the highest sound pressure level of a category, but all other requirements of paragraph (c)(1) of this section are complied with, all those configurations contained within that category which are determined to have sound pressure levels not greater than the tested vehicle are considered to be represented by the tested vehicle; however, a manufacturer must for purposes of Testing by the Administrator and Selective Enforcement Auditing verify according to the requirements of (b)(1) and/or (c)(1) of this section any configurations in the subject category which have a higher sound pressure level than the vehicle configuration tested.

(d) A manufacturer may elect for purposes of Testing by the Administrator and Selective Enforcement Auditing to use representative testing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section for all or part of his product line.

(e) The manufacturer has the following alternatives if any test vehicle is determined to not be in compliance with applicable standards:

(1) In the case of representative testing, a new test vehicle from another configuration must be selected according to the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, in order to verify the configurations represented by the non-compliant vehicle.

(2) Modify the test vehicle and demonstrate by testing that it meets applicable standards. The manufacturer must modify all production vehicles of the same configuration in the same manner as the test vehicle before distribution into commerce.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57720, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.157-3 - Configuration identification.

(a) A separate vehicle configuration shall be determined by each combination of the following parameters:

(1) Exhaust system (engine): (i) Mufflers; (ii) expansion chambers; (iii) spark arrestors; and (iv) other exhaust system components.

(2) Air induction system (engine): (i) Intake muffler; (ii) intake ducting; and (iii) air cleaner element.

(3) Vehicle drive train: (i) Chain; and (ii) shaft.

(4) Transmission gear ratio: (i) Standard transmission; and (ii) automatic transmission.

(5) Cooling system configuration: (i) Natural air cooled; (ii) liquid cooled; and (iii) forced air cooled.

(6) Category parameters listed in § 205.157-2.

(b) [Reserved]

§ 205.158 - Labeling requirements.

(a)(1) The manufacturer of any vehicle subject to this subpart must, at the time of manufacture, affix a label, of the type specified in paragraphs (a)(2), (3), and (4) of this section, to all such vehicles to be distributed in commerce.

(2) The label must be plastic or metal and be welded, riveted, or otherwise permanently attached in a readily visible position.

(3) The label must be affixed by the vehicle manufacturer to the vehicle in such a manner that the label cannot be removed without destroying or defacing it, and must not be affixed to any piece of equipment that is easily detached from such vehicle.

(4) The label must be lettered in the English language in legible block letters and numerals, which must be of a color that contrasts with the background of the label.

(5) The label must contain the following information:

(i) The label heading: Motorcycle Noise Emission Control Information;

(ii) The statement:

This ______ (model year) ______ (model specific code) motorcycle, ______ (serial number), meets EPA noise emission requirements of ______ (noise emission standard) dBA at ______ (closing rpm) rpm by the Federal test procedure. Modifications which cause this motorcycle to exceed Federal noise standards are prohibited by Federal law. See owner's manual.

(6) The model specific code is limited to ten spaces which includes three spaces for the manufacturer's abbreviation (see paragraph (a)(7) of this section), three spaces for the class identification, and four spaces for the advertised engine displacement respectively.

(7) All motorcycle manufacturers shall use the following abbreviations in their model specific code.

BMWBMW
BultacoBUL
Can-Am BombardierCAB
ChaparralCHA
CheetaCHE
DucatiDUC
FoxFOX
Harley DavidsonHAR
HealdHEA
HerculesHER
HodakaHOD
HondaHON
HusqvarnaHUS
JAWA/CZJAW
KawasakiKAW
KTMKTM
LaverdaLAV
Moto BenilliBEN
Moto GuzziGUZ
Moto MoriniMOR
MV AgustaMVA
Norton TriumphTRI
RokonROK
SuzukiSUZ
YamahaYAM

(8) Moped manufacturers only shall use the following abbreviations in their model specific code.

AMFAMF
BenelliBEL
CaliffoCAL
CarabelaCAR
CimattiCIM
ColumbiaCOL
E-Z RiderEZR
Flying DutchmanFLY
FoxiFOI
GadaboutGAD
GarelliGAR
GitaneGIT
HondaHON
IndianIND
IntramotorINT
ItalveloITA
KreidlerKRE
LazerLAZ
MalagatiMAL
MoriniMOI
Motobecane/SolexMBE
Moto GuzziGUZ
NegriniNEG
OdysseyODY
PacerPAC
Pack-A-WayPAK
PeugeotPEU
PuchPUC
RivieraRIV
SachsSAC
SafariSAF
ScorpionSCO
SmilySMI
SnarkSNA
Sori IISON
Speed BirdSPE
SprinterSPR
SuVegaSUV
TomasTOM
VaespaVES
Yankee PeddlerYAN

(9) If a new motorcycle manufacturer begins production of vehicles subject to this regulation, the Administrator will assign him a 3-letter manufacturer abbreviation as soon as reasonably practical after his existence is known to the Agency.

(b) Any vehicle manufactured in the United States solely for use outside the United States must be clearly labeled in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a) (2), (3), and (4) of this section with the statement; “For Export Only”.

(c) Any competition motorcycle as defined in § 205.151(a)(3), shall be labeled in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section with the statement:

This motorcycle is designed for closed course competition use only. It does not conform to U.S. EPA motorcycle noise standards.

(d) It will be permissible for manufacturers to meet the requirements of this section by consolidating these labeling requirements with other government labeling requirements in one or more labels, provided the provisions of paragraphs (a) (2), (3) and (4) of this section are met.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57721, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.159 - Testing by the Administrator.

(a)(1) In order for the Administrator to determine whether such vehicles or a manufacturer's test facility conform to applicable regulations, the Administrator may require that vehicles to be tested pursuant to the Act be submitted to him, at such place and time as he reasonably designates. He may designate the quantity of vehicles and the duration of time he reasonably requires for the purpose of conducting tests in accordance with test procedures described in appendix I. The manner in which the Administrator conducts such tests, the EPA test facility, and the test procedures employed will be based upon good engineering practice and meet or exceed the requirements of appendix I of the regulations.

(2) If the Administrator specifies that he will conduct such testing at the manufacturer's facility, the manufacturer shall make available instrumentation and equipment of the type required for test operations by these regulations. The Administrator may conduct such tests with his own equipment, having specifications equal to or exceeding the performance specifications of the instrumentation and equipment required in these regulations.

(3) The manufacturer may observe tests conducted by the Administrator pursuant to this section on vehicles produced by the manufacturer and may copy the data accumulated from such tests. The manufacturer may inspect any of the vehicles before and after testing by the Administrator.

(b)(1) If, based on tests conducted by the Administrator, or on other relevant information, the Administrator determines that the test facility does not meet the requirements of appendix I (or the requirements for an alternative test procedure approved under § 205.154), the Administrator will give notice to the manufacturer in writing of his determination and the reasons underlying it.

(2) The manufacturer may, at any time within 15 days after receipt of a notice issued under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, request a hearing conducted in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554 on the issue of whether his test facility met the requirements as specified in appendix I (or the alternative procedure). Such notice will not take effect until 15 days after its receipt by the manufacturer or, if a hearing is requested under this paragraph, until adjudication by the Administrative law judge.

(3) After any notice issued under paragraph (b)(1) of this section has taken effect, no data thereafter derived from that test facility will be acceptable for purposes of this subpart.

(4) The manufacturer may request in writing that the Administrator reconsider his determination under paragraph (b)(1) of this section based on data or information which indicates that changes have been made to the test facility and that those changes have resolved the reasons for disqualification.

(5) Within 10 working days after receipt of the manufacturer's request for reconsideration pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the Administrator will notify the manufacturer of his determination and of the reasons underlyng it with regard to the requalification of the test facility.

(c) The Administrator will assume all reasonable costs associated with shipment of vehicles to the place designated pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section except with respect to:

(1) Any production verification testing performed at a place other than the manufacturer's facility as provided in § 205.157-2(a), or as a result of the manufacturer's not owning or having access to a test facility;

(2) Testing of a reasonable number of vehicles (i) for purposes of selective enforcement auditing under § 205.160, (ii) or if the manufacturer has failed to establish that there is a correlation between its test facility and the EPA test facility, (iii) or the Administrator has reason to believe, and provides the manufacturer with a statement of such reason, that the vehicles to be tested would fail to meet the standard prescribed in this subpart if tested at the EPA test facility even though they would meet such standard if tested at the manufacturer's test facility;

(3) Any testing performed during a period when a notice issued pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section is in effect;

(4) Any testing performed at a place other than the manufacturer's facility as a result of the manufacturer's failure to permit the Administrator to conduct or monitor testing as required by this subpart; and

(5) Testing of up to 10 percent of the manufacturer's test vehicles for a model year if the Administrator determines testing these vehicles at the EPA test site is necessary to assure that a manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance with the Act.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57721, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.160 - Selective enforcement auditing (SEA) requirements.
§ 205.160-1 - Test request.

(a) The Administrator will request all testing under § 205.160 by means of a test request addressed to the manufacturer.

(b) The test request will be signed by the Assistant Administrator for Enforcement or his designee. The test request will be delivered to the plant manager or other responsible official as designated by the manufacturer.

(c) The test request will specify the vehicle category, configuration or configuration subgroup selected for testing, the manufacturer's plant or storage facility from which the vehicles must be selected, and the time at which the vehicles must be selected. The test request will also provide for situations in which the selected category, configuration, or configuration subgroup is unavailable for testing. The test request may include an alternative category, configuration, or configuration subgroup designated for testing in the event that vehicles of the first specified category, configuration, or configuration subgroup are not available for testing because the vehicles are not being manufactured at the specified plant, are not being manufactured during the specified time, or are not being stored at the specified plant or storage facility.

(d)(1) If the manufacturer projects a yearly production of fewer than 50 vehicles of the specified category, configuration or configuration subgroup to be tested, then within five (5) days of receipt of the request, the manufacturer must notify the Administrator of such low volume production. The Administrator will then provide a revised test request specifying a testing plan which imposes no greater risk of failure (5%) at the acceptable quality level (10%) than the plan in Appendix II. Upon receipt of the revised test request, the manufacturer must select and test a sample of vehicles from the category, configuration or configuration subgroup specified in the test request in accordance with this subpart and the conditions specified in the test request.

(2) If the manufacturer produces 50 or more vehicles of the specified category, configuration or configuration subgroup per year, then upon receipt of the test request, the manufacturer must select and test a sample of vehicles from the category, configuration or configuration subgroup specified in the test request in accordance with this subpart and the conditions specified in the test request.

(e)(1) Any testing conducted by the manufacturer under a test request must be initiated within the time period specified in the test request; except that initiation may be delayed for increments of 24 hours or one business day where ambient test site weather conditions, or other conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer, in that 24-hour period, do not permit testing. The manufacturer must record the conditions for this period.

(2) The manufacturer must complete noise emission testing on a minimum of ten vehicles per day unless otherwise provided by the Administrator or unless ambient test site conditions permit only the testing of a lesser number in which case the ambient test site weather conditions for that period must be recorded.

(3) The manufacturer is allowed 24 hours to ship vehicles from a sample from the assembly plant to the testing facility if the facility is not located at the plant or in close proximity to the plant. The Administrator may approve more time based upon a request by the manufacturer accompanied by a satisfactory justification.

(f) The Administrator may issue an order to the manufacturer to cease distribution in commerce of vehicles of a specified category, configuration, or configuration subgroup being manufactured at a particular facility, if:

(1) The manufacturer refuses to comply with the provisions of a test request issued by the Administrator under this section; or

(2) The manufacturer refuses to comply with any of the requirements of this section.

(g) A cease distribution order will not be issued under paragraph (f) of this section if the manufacturer's refusal is caused by conditions and circumstances outside his control which render compliance with the provisions of a test request or with any other requirements of this section impossible. Conditions and circumstances outside the control of the manufacturer include, but are not limited to, the temporary unavailability of equipment and personnel needed to conduct the required tests caused by uncontrollable factors, such as equipment breakdown or failure or illness of personnel. Failure of the manufacturer to adequately plan for and provide the equipment and personnel needed to conduct the tests do not constitute uncontrollable factors. The manufacturer must bear the burden of establishing the presence of the conditions and circumstances required by this paragraph.

(h) Any order to cease distribution will be issued only after a notice and opportunity for a hearing in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554.

§ 205.160-2 - Test sample selection and preparation.

(a) Vehicles comprising the sample which are required to be tested under a test request in accordance with this subpart must be selected consecutively as they are produced. Before the official test, the test vehicle must not be prepared, tested, modified, adjusted, or maintained in any manner unless such preparation, tests, modifications, adjustments or maintenance are part of the manufacturer's prescribed manufacturing and inspection procedures, and are documented in the manufacturer's internal vehicle assembly and inspection procedures, are required or permitted under this subpart, or are approved in advance by the Administrator. For purposes of this section, prescribed manufacturing and inspection procedures include quality control testing and assembly procedures normally performed by the manufacturer on like products during early production if the resulting testing is not biased by this procedure. In the case of imported products, the manufacturer may perform adjustments, preparations, modification or tests normally performed at the port of entry by the manufacturer to prepare the vehicle for delivery to a dealer or customer.

(1) Equipment or fixtures necessary to conduct the test may be installed on the vehicle if such equipment or fixtures have no effect on the noise emissions of the vehicle, as determined by the measurement methodology.

(2) In the event of a vehicle malfunction (i.e., failure to start, etc.) the manufacturer may perform the maintenance that is necessary to enable the vehicle to operate in a normal manner. This maintenance must be documented and reported in the SEA report.

(3) No quality control, quality assurance testing, assembly or selection procedures may be used on the test vehicle or any portion of the test vehicle including parts and subassemblies, unless such quality control, quality assurance testing, assembly or selection procedures are used normally during the production and assembly of all other vehicles of this configuration which will be distributed in commerce, are required or permitted under this subpart or are approved in advance by the Administrator.

(4) If a vehicle is unable to complete the noise tests, the manufacturer may replace the vehicle. Any replacement vehicle must be a production vehicle of the same configuration as the replaced vehicle or a noisier configuration and will be subject to all the provisions of these regulations. Any replacement must be reported in the SEA report.

(b) The Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is 10 percent. The appropriate sampling plans associated with the designated AQL are contained in Appendix II or the test request.

(c) The vehicles of the category, configuration or configuration subgroup selected for testing must be assembled by the manufacturer for distribution in commerce using the manufacturer's normal production process.

(d) Unless otherwise indicated in the test request, the manufacturer must initiate testing with the vehicles of the category, configuration or configuration subgroup specified in the test request which are next scheduled for production after receipt of the test request.

(e) The manufacturer must keep on hand all products in the test sample until the sample is accepted or rejected in accordance with § 205.160-6; except that vehicles actually tested and found to be in conformance with this regulation need not be kept.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57721, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.160-3 - [Reserved]
§ 205.160-4 - Testing procedures.

(a) The manufacturer must conduct one valid test in accordance with the appropriate test procedures specified in Appendix I, on each vehicle selected for testing under this subpart.

(b) In the event a vehicle is unable to complete the noise emission test, the manufacturer may replace the vehicle. Any replacement vehicle must be a production vehicle of the same category, configuration or subgroup as the vehicle which it replaced, and it is subject to all the provisions of this subpart.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57721, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.160-5 - Reporting of the test results.

(a)(1) The manufacturer must submit a copy of the test report for all testing conducted pursuant to § 205.160 at the conclusion of each 24-hour period during which testing is done.

(2) For each test conducted the manufacturer must provide the following information:

(i) Category, configuration or configuration subgroup identification where applicable;

(ii) Year, make, assembly date, and model of vehicle;

(iii) Vehicle serial number; and

(iv) Test results by serial numbers.

(b) In the case where an EPA Enforcement Officer is present during testing required by this subpart, the written reports requested in paragraph (a) of this section may be given directly to the Enforcement Officer.

(c) Within 5 days after completion of testing of an SEA, the manufacturer must submit to the Administrator a final report which will include the following:

(1) The name, location, and description of the manufacturer's noise emission test facilities which meet the specifications of Appendix I, and were utilized to conduct testing reported under this section, except, that a test facility that has been described in a previous submission under this subpart need not again be described, but must be identified as that facility.

(2) The following information for each noise emission test conducted:

(i) The individual records for the test vehicles required by § 205.161(a)(2) for all noise emission tests including for each invalid test, the reason for invalidation.

(ii) A complete description of any modification, repair, preparation, maintenance, or testing which could affect the noise emissions of the product and which was performed on the test vehicle but not performed on all other production vehicles; and,

(iii) The test results for any replaced vehicle and the reason for its replacement.

(3) A complete description of the sound data acquisition system if other than those specified in Appendix I.

(4) The following statement and endorsement:

This report is submitted pursuant to section 6 and section 13 of the Noise Control Act of 1972. To the best of ______ (company name) knowledge, all testing for which data are reported here was conducted in strict conformance with applicable regulations under 40 CFR part 205 et seq., all the data reported here are a true and accurate representation of such testing, and all other information reported here is true and accurate. I am aware of the penalties associated with violations of the Noise Control Act of 1972 and the regulations thereunder. ______ (authorized representative).

(5) Additional information required by the test request.

(d) Information required to be submitted to the Administrator under this section must be sent to the following address: Director, Noise and Radiation Enforcement Division, (EN-387), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460.

§ 205.160-6 - Passing or failing under SEA.

(a) A failing vehicle is one whose measured noise level is in excess of the applicable noise emission standard in § 205.152.

(b) The number of failing vehicles in a sample determines whether the sample passes or fails (See applicable tables in Appendix II). If the number of failing vehicles is greater than or equal to the number of Column B, the sample fails. If the number of failing vehicles is less than or equal to the number in Column A, the sample passes.

(c) Pass or failure of an SEA takes place when a decision that a vehicle is a passing or failing unit is made on the last vehicle required to make a decision under paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) If the manufacturer passes the SEA, he will not be required to perform any additional testing on subsequent vehicles to satisfy the test request.

(e) The Administrator may terminate testing earlier than required in paragraph (b) of this section, based on a request by the manufacturer, accompanied by voluntarily ceasing distribution in commerce of vehicles from the category, configuration or configuration subgroup in question, manufactured at the plant which produced the products being tested. Before reinitiating distribution in commerce of that vehicle category, configuration or configuration subgroup from that plant, the manufacturer must take the action described in § 205.160-8(a)(1) and (2).

§ 205.160-7 - Continued testing.

(a) If an SEA failure occurs according to paragraph (b) of § 205.160-6, the Administrator may require that any or all vehicles of that category, configuration or configuration subgroup produced at that plant be tested before distribution in commerce.

(b) The Administrator will notify the manufacturer in writing of his intent to require continued testing of vehicles under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) The manufacturer may request a hearing on the issues of whether the SEA was conducted properly; whether the criteria for SEA failure have been met; and the appropriateness or scope of a continued testing order. If a hearing is requested, the hearing will begin no later than 15 days after the date on which the Administrator received the hearing request. Neither the request for a hearing nor the fact that a hearing is in progress will affect the responsibility of the manufacturer to commence and continue testing required by the Administrator pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) Any tested vehicle which demonstrates conformance with the applicable standard may be distributed into commerce.

(e) Any distribution into commerce of a vehicle which does not comply with the applicable standard is a prohibited act.

§ 205.160-8 - Prohibition of distribution in commerce; manufacturer's remedy.

(a) The Administrator will permit the manufacturer to cease testing under § 205.160-7 after the manufacturer has taken the following actions:

(1) Submission of a written report to the Administrator which identifies the reason for the noncompliance of the vehicles, describes the problem and/or quality control or quality assurance remedies to be taken by the manufacturer to correct the problem.

(2) Demonstration that the specified vehicle category, configuration or configuration subgroup has passed a retest conducted in accordance with § 205.160, and the conditions specified in the test request.

(b) The manufacturer may begin testing under paragraph (a)(2) of this section upon submitting the report required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and may cease continued testing upon making the demonstration required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The Administrator may require resumption of continued testing if he determines that the manufacturer has not satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section.

(c) Any vehicle failing the prescribed noise emission tests conducted pursuant to appendix I may not be distributed in commerce until necessary adjustments or repairs have been made and the vehicle passes a retest.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57721, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.162 - In-use requirements.
§ 205.162-1 - Warranty.

(a) The vehicle manufacturer who is required to production verify under this subpart must include in the owner's manual or in other information supplied to the ultimate purchaser the following statement:

NOISE EMISSIONS WARRANTY [RESERVED]

(b) [Reserved]

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 48 FR 27040, June 13, 1983]
§ 205.162-2 - Tampering.

(a) For each configuration of vehicles covered by this part, the manufacturer shall develop a list of acts which, in his judgment, constitute the removal or rendering totally or partially inoperative, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement of noise control devices or elements of design of the vehicle.

(b) The manufacturer shall include in the owner's manual the following information:

(1) The statement:

Tampering With Noise Control System Prohibited

Federal law prohibits the following acts or causing thereof:

(1) The removal or rendering inoperative by any person other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, of any device or element of design incorporated into any new vehicle for the purpose of noise control prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in use, or (2) the use of the vehicle after such device or element of design has been removed or rendered inoperative by any person.

(2) The statement:

Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are the acts listed below.

Immediately following this statement, the manufacturer must include the list developed under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Any act included in the list prepared pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section is presumed to constitute tampering; however, in any case in which a presumed act of tampering has been committed and it can be shown that such act resulted in no increase in the noise level of the vehicle or that the vehicle still meets the noise emission standard of § 205.152, the act will not constitute tampering.

(d) The provisions of this section are not intended to preclude any State or local jurisdiction from adopting and enforcing its own prohibitions against the removal or rendering inoperative of noise control systems on vehicles subject to this part.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57721, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.162-3 - Instructions for maintenance, use, and repair.

(a)(1) The manufacturer must provide to the purchaser of each vehicle covered by this subpart written instructions for the proper maintenance, use, and repair of the vehicle in order to provide reasonable assurance of the elimination or minimization of noise emission degradation throughout the life of the vehicle.

(2) The purpose of the instructions is to inform purchasers and mechanics of the acts necessary to reasonably assure that degradation of noise emission level is eliminated or minimized during the life of the vehicle. Manufacturers shall prepare the instructions with this purpose in mind. The instructions shall be clear and, to the extent practicable, written in non-technical language.

(3) The instructions must not be used to secure an unfair competitive advantage. They shall not restrict replacement equipment to original equipment or restrict service to dealer service unless such manufacturer makes public the performance specifications on such equipment.

(b) For the purpose of encouraging proper maintenance, the manufacturer must provide a record or log book which shall contain a schedule for the performance of all required noise emission control maintenance. Space must be provided in this record book so that the purchaser can note what maintenance was done, by whom, where, and when.

[45 FR 86708, Dec. 31, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 57722, Dec. 28, 1982]
§ 205.163 - Recall of noncomplying motorcycles; relabeling of mislabeled motorcycles.

(a) Pursuant to section 11(d)(1) of the Act, the Administrator may issue an order to the manufacturer to recall, repair, modify, or relabel any vehicles distributed in commerce which are not in compliance with this subpart.

(b) A recall order issued under this section shall be based upon a determination by the Administrator that vehicles of a specified category, configuration, or class which do not conform to the regulations or are improperly labeled have been distributed in commerce. This determination may be based on: (1) A technical analysis of the noise emission characteristics of the category, configuration, or class in question; or (2) any other relevant information, including test data.

(c) For the purpose of this section, noise emissions are to be measured by the appropriate test procedure prescribed in appendix I prior to sale or any other test which has been demonstrated to correlate with the prescribed test procedure in accordance with § 205.154.

(d) Any order to recall shall be issued only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

(e) All cost, including labor and parts, associated with the recall and repair or modification of noncomplying vehicles and relabeling of mislabeled vehicles under this section shall be borne by the manufacturer.

(f) This section shall not limit the discretion of the Administrator to take any other actions which are authorized by the Act.

Appendix Appendix I - Appendix I to Subparts D-E of Part 205—Motorcycle Noise Emission Test Procedures [Note]
Editorial Note:The text of appendix I follows subpart E.
authority: Secs. 6, 10, 11, 13, Pub. L. 92-574, 86 Stat. 1234 (42 U.S.C. 4905,4909,4910,4912
source: 41 FR 15544, Apr. 13, 1976, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 205.160-6